Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
The highly anticipated visitor center at High Bridge Trail State Park has opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 7. The new center is a part of the park’s master plan and has been something that the staff and guests have been eagerly awaiting.
High Bridge Station is located at the main park entrance on Camp Paradise Road and includes the new visitor center, restrooms and staff offices. The name originates from the park’s significant railroad history and the center’s design was based on the 1914 Standard Combination Passenger and Freight Station in the Norfolk & Western Railway Company Standard Plans.
High Bridge Trail State Park’s railroad history is significant as it consists of 32.2 miles along an old rail bed. In recognition of the park’s history, the new visitor center is linear to resemble a train station that would have been built in the early 1900s. The building design showcases the importance of the train station and transportation in the area and the building aesthetic represents the railroad era to provide additional insight into the original Norfolk-Southern donation.
Inside the center, visitors will see a variety of exhibits that give more insight about the park’s history. Merchandise, souvenirs and items for the trail can be purchased here, and the park offices have also been moved to this building.
The visitor center is situated at the eastern end of the actual High Bridge from which the park receives its namesake. High Bridge is the focal point of the park and usually has the highest level of visitation, so having this center to also include the park staff offices at a busy section of the park will be helpful for rangers interacting with guests. The building is located about 0.3 miles from High Bridge and there is an ADA accessible path to the trail. High Bridge is the longest recreational bridge in Virginia and among the longest in the United States. High Bridge is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is included on the National Register of Historic Places, so it makes sense that people are drawn to this location.
The outside deck looks over the trail to allow trail users a place to rest, stop and gather more information. The visitor center also includes restrooms, which is one of the main amenities that the public and staff have been eagerly awaiting.
Guests will be able to talk to a ranger in a centralized location so it’s the perfect stop before your hike along the trail. You can ask about future park programs, pick up a park map or just come inside for a break from the outdoors. This building also provides shade and shelter from bad weather so guests can enjoy the park on a rainy day.
The visitor center will serve as the new centerpiece of the park as it reflects the park history so future generations can enjoy this land and better understand the origin of the park’s historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources along the trail.
High Bridge Trail State Park is unique as it traverses Appomattox, Cumberland, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties and the towns of Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice. With the trail connecting so many areas, it is key to make lasting partnerships with each project. Thanks to the imperative partnerships that the agency and the park manager and staff have created over the years, the land components for the trail have been donated to DCR to finalize the 32.2 miles that makeup the park.
Here is the timeline:
Funding from Virginia Public Bonds and federal State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act were used for the visitor center project.
Revenue from the sales of the Virginia State Parks license plate was used for part of the Pamplin project. When you purchase one of these license plates, the funds go towards projects that improve, maintain and conserve Virginia State Parks.
This new visitor center will improve the overall guest experience at the park as well as provide amenities that most parks already offer such as restrooms, centralized staff offices and a place to pick up souvenirs or items needed for the trail.
Community support has been pouring in since the beginning of this project as the visitor center has been enthusiastically anticipated. The Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park, local citizens and business owners all worked together to make this one of the leading rail-trail parks in the country
The purpose of High Bridge Trail State Park is to provide a premier non-motorized, shared-use path for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders in Virginia and this center is another step that is in line with the agency’s mission.
The visitor center is open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily so be sure to stop by on your next visit to the park.
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